NBI nabs alleged West African syndicate ‘black cocaine’ supplier

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested an alleged West African syndicate member who supplied the illegal drug known as "black cocaine."

In a Tuesday press conference, NBI spokesperson Giselle Dumlao said the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) arrested Benjamin Mosuke in Dasmarinas, Cavite.

“His arrest was a result of a follow-up operation against the supplier of illegal drugs of the previous arrested subjects identified as Marissa Eusebio and Vanessa Alviar who were arrested in Parañaque City on August 12, 2023 for an attempt to transport 3.15 kilograms of cocaine,” said Dumlao.

According to Glen Juego's Super Radyo dzBB report, the NBI seized chemicals and equipment used in manufacturing illegal drugs and P20 million worth of cocaine from Mosuke's house.

Mosuke was an alleged member of a West African syndicate.

According to TFAID Commander Ross Jonathan Galicia, the “black cocaine” was disguised as biscuits and cookies.

“First, they will concoct the drugs into something like a biscuit or kaya candy bar wherein the drugs are embedded doon sa chocolate. And then they’re going to package it like a legal chocolate bar or cookie,”

“This is the first time... we were able to seize black cocaine in the Philippines,” he later added.

Meanwhile, Dumlao said they filed drug charges against Mosuke.

“This morning, subject Mosuke was charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Dasmarinas City while subjects Eusebio and Alviar were presented for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor of Paranaque City last August 25,” she said.

Galicia said one of the females was a recruiter while the other female was Mosuke's live-in partner.

“The live-in partner kasi, she was just instructed to deliver the cocaine. ‘Yung isa, talagang siya ‘yung nag re-recruit nung mga Filipinos para maging drug courier dito sa atin to deliver drugs abroad,” he said.

(The live-in partner was just instructed to deliver the cocaine. The other is the one who recruits Filipinos to become drug couriers to deliver drugs abroad.)

The NBI added that they were trying to find the recruited couriers, who were usually unemployed Filipinos.

“I think it is a good opportunity to warn yung ating mga kababayan na kapag may mga nag re-recruit sa kanila at may mga ipapadalang package at bibigyan sila ng bayad ay magdalawang isip sa pagdala nito,” Dumlao said.

(I think it’s a good opportunity to warn our citizens to think twice if there is someone who will recruit and pay them to deliver a package abroad.)

When sought for comment, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government was looking into the “very lucrative criminal enterprise through drug smuggling.”

“Filipinos are recruited as mules. That’s one more reason. That’s why trafficking is a concern of ours,” he said.

Remulla said he asked Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to conduct a training program for Immigration officers to ensure that they can prevent Filipinos from being trafficked and to prevent abuses. — DVM, GMA Integrated News